Limit on Marriages. Initiative Statute.
	Argument in Favor of Proposition 22

Arguments on this page are the opinions of the authors and have not been checked for accuracy by any official agency.

Dear Fellow Voter:

I'm a 20-year-old woman voting for only the second time on March 7th. I'm proud, excited, and a bit nervous, because I take my civic responsibilities seriously. Not only that, but among millions of people supporting Proposition 22, the Protection of Marriage Initiative, I have the honor of writing you to explain why Californians should vote "Yes" on 22.

Proposition 22 is exactly 14 words long: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."

That's it! No legal doubletalk, no hidden agenda. Just common sense: Marriage should be between a man and a woman.

It does not take away anyone's right to inheritance or hospital visitation.

When people ask, "Why is this necessary?" I say that even though California law already says only a man and a woman may marry, it also recognizes marriages from other states. However, judges in some of those states want to define marriage differently than we do. If they succeed, California may have to recognize new kinds of marriages, even though most people believe marriage should be between a man and a woman.

California is not alone in trying to keep marriage between a man and a woman. In 1996, Democrats and Republicans in Congress overwhelmingly passed a bill saying that the U.S. government defines marriage as between a man and a woman only, and said each state could do the same.

President Clinton signed the bill the day after he received it. So far, 30 states have passed laws defining marriage as between a man and a woman.

Now it's our turn, and I'm voting "Yes" on 22 to ensure that decisions affecting California are voted on by Californians . . . like us.

It's Our State, it should be Our Choice.

But some people today think marriage doesn't matter anymore. They say I have to accept that marriage can mean whatever anyone says it means, and if I don't agree then I'm out of touch, even an extremist.

My family taught me to respect other people's freedoms. Everyone should. But that's a two way street. If people want me to respect their opinions and lifestyles, then they should grant me the same courtesy by respecting MY beliefs. And I believe that marriage should stay the way it is.

It's tough enough for families to stay together these days. Why make it harder by telling children that marriage is just a word anyone can re-define again and again until it no longer has any meaning?

Marriage is an important part of our lives, our families and our future. Someday I hope to meet a wonderful man, marry and have children of my own. By voting "Yes" on 22, I'm doing my part today to keep that dream alive. Please, for all future generations, vote "Yes" on 22.

Miriam G. Santacruz

We couldn't have said it better! As representatives of seniors, teachers and parents, we're proud to join Californians from all walks of life voting "Yes" on 22.

Jeanne Murray
Field Director, 60 Plus Association

Gary Beckner
Executive Director, Association of American Educators

Thomas Fong
President, Chinese Family Alliance

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